Nicholas J. Ganjei United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas
A Mexican national, Christian Christopher Rodriguez-Lopez, aged 44, has been sentenced to over a decade in federal prison. According to U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, the penalties are due to Rodriguez-Lopez transporting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and importing cocaine into the United States.
Rodriguez-Lopez, who pleaded guilty on August 21, 2024, appeared before U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, who issued a sentence of 151 months for both charges connected to CSAM and drug trafficking. Details unveiled during the court proceedings indicated that the CSAM included victims from infancy to 12 years old, prompting increased penalties due to the material depicting prepubescent minors and involving sadistic or masochistic content.
Upon completing his prison term, Rodriguez-Lopez will be subject to lifelong supervised release, adhering to strict conditions limiting his contact with children and internet usage. He will be mandated to register as a sex offender. Rodriguez-Lopez's visa was canceled at the time of his arrest, and deportation proceedings are anticipated following his incarceration.
Rodriguez-Lopez attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico in April 2024, during which authorities discovered approximately five kilograms of cocaine in his possession. Following his arrest, additional CSAM was found on his cellphone.
U.S. Attorney Ganjei emphasized the importance of stringent border security, stating, “Mr. Rodriguez-Lopez is a perfect example of why our more aggressive approach to border security is so critical.” He added, “Due to the excellent work of our law enforcement partners, this cocaine will never make it to the streets and this offender will spend the next decade in federal prison.”
Rodriguez-Lopez will remain detained until he is moved to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility.
The investigation was led by Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations, with support from Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarina S. DiPiazza manages the prosecution, part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative, started by the Department of Justice in May 2006, targets the increasing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts.
